Entropy, a concept derived from thermodynamics and information theory, describes the amount of uncertainty and disorder within a system. Self-organizing systems engage in a continual dialogue with the environment and must adapt themselves to changing circumstances to keep internal entropy at a manageable level. We propose the entropy model of…

Makes the case that the effectiveness of the use of information systems (IS) in an organization depends on an evolving understanding of the nature of IS value and that the speed of this organization is, in large part, a function of organizational and IS leadership. Analyzes the role of leadership and its relationship to the concept of absorptive…

Search for an integrated, comprehensive theory of information science (IS) has so far been unsuccessful. Appearance of a theory has been retarded by one central constraint, the large number of disciplines concerned with human communication. Crossdisciplinary interdependence occurs in two ways: theoretical relation of IS phenomena to a given…

Presents the "Evidence-of-Existence" information system in which the structure is developed, with application of cybernetic concepts, as an isomorphic model in analogy to the system structure of communication technology. Three criteria of structuring are postulated: (1) source-channel-sink, with input-output characteristics, (2) filter-type…

This study demonstrates the systems approach to scientific and technical information behavior research through the application of a multidimensional model to data concerning the effects of higher level variables on professional job types. The model was first developed in a study examining organizational barriers to the flow of STI in…

The purpose of this work is to help build and bridge between total overviews of the fields of information science and empirical research. This is done by building a model for linking multidisciplinary approaches into a relevant and effective whole, and for deriving testable propositions from this new framework. (63 references) (Author/KE)

A taxonomy for modeling information systems is presented. Epistemology is used as a prescriptive modeling basis and it is shown how the different models can be made scientifically operational by using a special kind of systems analysis. Results of a preliminary experiment based on one of the models are presented. (60 references) (Author/KE)

Information retrieval (IR) is driven by a process that decides whether a document is about a query. The purpose of this article is to consider "aboutness" from a fundamental, neutral perspective, to shed light on the nature of aboutness by formalizing properties describing it, and to define a set of reasonable properties of aboutness,…

The retrieval decision problem is considered from the viewpoint of a decision theory approach. A threshold rule based on earlier rules for indexing decisions is considered and analyzed for retrieval decisions as a measure of retrieval performance. The threshold rule is seen as a good descriptive design measure of what a reasonable retrieval system…

Uses Kintsch's proposition-based construction-integration theory of discourse comprehension to detail the user coding operations that occur in each of the three subsystems (Perception, Comprehension, Application) in which users process an information retrieval systems (IRS) message. Describes an IRS device made up of two separate parts that enable…

Explores how the 6-D framework can form the core of a comprehensive systemic strategy and help provide a supporting structure for more robust design and development while allowing organizations to support whatever methods and models best suit their purpose. 6-D stands for the phases of Web design and development: Discovery, Definition, Design,…

A framework is developed to evaluate expected search length, an important measure of an information storage and retrieval system's performance, as a function of the size of the information file and its organization in terms of indexing search structure. Previous research pertaining to search length by W.S. Cooper and others is surveyed and…

The booklet briefly reports on a three-day workshop attended by 27 educational and State representatives from eight participating Southeastern States. The purpose of the workshop was to formulate a working model of efficient dissemination systems designed to: (1) assure that disseminators and trainers are kept up to date with current thinking and…

Examines the selective dissemination of indexed surrogates to overcome two major causes of cultural lag: reading overload and lack of cogency of technical communication. An analysis of three models--reference-retrieval systems, question-answering systems, and surrogate-dissemination systems--explores reasons for lag in technique implementation.…

The purpose of this study was to provide some preliminary data about the information-searching behavior of the physician in order to (1) facilitate the development of models describing the search behavior and (2) provide the behavioral data necessary for the development of effective information retrieval systems for use by the medical profession.…